Your bones are the foundation of your body and support everything from your head to your toes. They protect your vital organs, provide structure for your muscles, and allow you to move in many different ways.
When you get injured, you should see a doctor who specializes in treating bones. There are many different types of bone doctors, each with their specialties and areas of expertise. Here is a brief overview of some of the most common types of bone doctors:
Orthopedic Surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. That includes bones, muscles, joints, soft tissues like tendons and ligaments, and nerves.
They use surgical and non-surgical methods to treat patients. They also often work closely with other healthcare professionals, like physiotherapists, to create comprehensive treatment plans.
They typically perform the following procedures:
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery uses a small camera, called an arthroscope, to visualize and treat problems inside joints. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
During arthroscopy, your orthopedic surgeon makes a small incision in the skin and inserts the arthroscope into the joint. The camera displays a magnified image of the inside of the joint on a monitor. Your surgeon uses this image to guide their instruments to perform repairs.
Joint Replacement Surgery
Joint replacement surgery is where your orthopedic surgeon replaces a damaged joint with an artificial implant.
This surgery aims to relieve pain and improve function in patients with arthritis or other conditions that damage the joints.
Orthopedic Physicians
Orthopedic physicians, also known as orthopedists, specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. All orthopedic surgeons are orthopedists, but not all orthopedists are surgeons.
Orthopedic physicians who are not surgeons treat their patients with nonsurgical methods. They can:
- Prescribe medications
- Administer injections like corticosteroids or viscosupplementation
- Recommend physical therapy
- Perform minimally invasive procedures like joint aspiration
- Perform conservative treatments like splinting, casting, and bracing
Sports Medicine Doctors
Sports medicine doctors are orthopedic physicians specializing in diagnosing and treating injuries that result from physical activity. They often work with athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional.
Sports medicine doctors use both surgical and nonsurgical methods to treat patients. They often work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, to create comprehensive treatment plans.
They can perform non-surgical procedures like:
- Joint aspiration
- Trigger point injections
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy
- Viscosupplementation
They can also perform surgical procedures like:
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Joint replacement surgery
- Ligament reconstruction surgery
Rheumatologists
Rheumatologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are conditions where your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
Rheumatologists often treat patients with arthritis, lupus, and other diseases, which affect the joints. They use both medication and lifestyle changes to treat their patients. They may prescribe the following:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroids
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Biologic agents
They may also recommend lifestyle changes like exercise, weight loss, sleep regulation, and stress reduction.
Reliable Bone Doctor Near You In Dover, NJ
There are many different types of bone doctors, each with their own specialization. The kind of bone doctor you need to see will depend on your specific condition.
If you have an injury or disorder of the musculoskeletal system, you may need an orthopedic physician or surgeon. You may see a rheumatologist if you have an autoimmune disease. Lastly, you may need a sports medicine doctor if you sustained an injury from physical activity.
Look no further than Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey if you need a reliable bone doctor near you. We have top-notch, experienced providers who are always excited to give you the best care you deserve. Book a consultation by calling us at (973) 989-0888 or using our convenient appointment request form.
We look forward to serving you!
